A Melbourne based music blog….

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Typhoon are masters of drama. All of their tracks bring together the orchestral elements, paranoid lyrics and killer dynamics, like a less wanky Arcade Fire that you don’t hate the members of.

Their new 7″ Common Sentiments is currently available on bandcamp and I got my copy in the mail. After my parents sitting down to tell me that my latest record delivery was rattling and almost certainly broken, I opened it up to be pleasently surprised by finding 6 badges and a bonus record in the paracel. Not sure if that’s the usual thing they do, but it was awesome.

Both the tracks are great. Common Sentiments is all drama and tension and my god is it captivating. Green is definitely the b-side in this situation with it’s slow-building tempo but it’s a total grower and very different to the Daytrotter version which I also recommend.

It’s been two years since The Antlers released Hospice, a harrowing concept about cancer that was all mechanical whirrs and haunting falsetto. Since then then they’re expanded their sound to include a remix album (Together) and Burst Apart which was a much easier listen than its predecessor.

Undersea, a four track EP sees them evolve even further and like Hospice’s hospital machinery, the underwater theme is strong with haunting synths and enough reverb to make it sound like the entire thing was recorded in a submarine.

Undersea is their most sonically interesting release to date. All four of the songs provide something different and there isn’t a bad track among them.

Drift Dive is nothing short of gorgeous with subtle horns and echoey synths.

Endless Ladder comes in at over eight minutes and while the lyrics don’t offer the emotional punch of previous records the repetitive backing vocals and delicate keys make it perfect late night driving music. Crest is the shortest track and adheres to the theme the least. Not that that’s a complaint as it’s as good as anything on Burst Apart.

If you’re attracted to the emotional intensity of The Antlers, you may be left disappointed. But for everyone else this is a quality EP that is hopefully a sign of things to come.

We’re starting to see the first summer festival announcements trickle through and as usual Meredith are offering the goods with the first two acts announced.

current it-women Grimes and legendary Australian band The Sunnyboys have been announced to play the festival from December 7-9 and it will be awesome.

The Sunnyboys are a particularly exciting band to have play. Lead singer Jeremy Oxley developed schizophrenia and it was generally accepted that we’ll never see them play live again. With a sound that is a throwback to the mod bands of the 1960s their albums still sound fresh today.

If you haven’t got a copy of their debut, it’s around $10 at JB Hi-Fi. Do your ears a favour, it’s excellent.

The ballot is open and you need to enter before August 12.As usual it will probably sell out.

1.It’s on tonight on the Grace Darling. A band with terrible banter once informed me that the Grace Darling was named after a lady who saved 13 men from a sinking ship in the 1800s. So that’s pretty cool.

2.How often do you get to see a showcase, a single launch and a homecoming gig all in the same night? Probably not often enough.

3. The bands are all awesome. All of them.

4. Owls of the Swamp has just returned from Europe. It’s his first show back in Melbourne which means new songs and interesting banter. Not that his banter is ever boring. He brings the dad jokes.

5. Elephant Eyes are fantastic live and just keep getting better and better. It’s their single launch and it’s an awesome song.

6. Siobhan is scarily young and talented. You should see her now to say otu saw her first to impress your super indie friends in a year or so.

7. It’s only $10 and for the cost of a pizza, you really can’t go wrong.

Call Me Maybe is a great pop song. It has midi strings, a ridiculously catchy chorus and it’s even possible to look past the average verses. but if you’re one of those people who are ashamed of liking pop music, here are some Call Me Maybe cover that it’s okay to like.

Firstly, here’s the version fun. did live on Dutch radio. It’s not a huge departure from the original, but as a big fan of The Format (their old band, do yourself a favour, they’re great) it’s been in high rotation. Also love that they used the midi strings, which is one of the best things about the original.

If you like your pop songs a little darker, Ben Howard did a a great folk version on Live Lounge. He managed to turn the cheesy pop song into something that extends beyond novelty value and it completely fits his style.